GMAT Exam  >  GMAT Questions  >  If a, b, and c are not equal to zero, what is... Start Learning for Free
If a, b, and c are not equal to zero, what is the difference between the maximum and minimum value of S? S = 1 + 
  • a)
    12
  • b)
    14
  • c)
    22
  • d)
    20
  • e)
    18
Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
If a, b, and c are not equal to zero, what is the difference between t...
Understanding Absolute Values
= 1 When a is positive.
= 1 When a is negative.
Step 1: Compute the Maximum Value of S
When will the value of the expression be maximum?


The value of the expression will be maximum when all of the terms become positive.
i.e., a, b, and ab should be positive and c should be negative.
When a is positive, 
When b is positive, 
When a and b are positive, as required in the previous two steps, ab will be positive and the expression, 
When c is negative,
Therefore, the maximum value = 1 + 1 + 2 + 3 -(-4) = 11
Step 2: Compute the Minimum Value of S
When will the value of the expression be minimum?


 
The value of the expression will be minimum if we make as many terms negative as possible.
Higher the magnitude of the terms made negative, lower the value of the expression.
c has to be positive for S to be minimum. The last term will then be -4.
If ab is negative, then 
If ab has to be negative, one of a or b has to be positive and the other has to be negative.
Possibility 1: If a > 0 and b < 0,
The value of the expression is 1 + 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 = -7.
Possibility 2: If a < 0 and b > 0, 
The value of the expression is 1 - 1 + 2 - 3 - 4 = -5.
Therefore, the minimum value is -7
Step 3: Compute the difference
Maximum value of S = 11.
Minimum value of S = -7.
The difference is 18.
Choice E is the correct answer.
Free Test
Community Answer
If a, b, and c are not equal to zero, what is the difference between t...
Understanding Absolute Values
= 1 When a is positive.
= 1 When a is negative.
Step 1: Compute the Maximum Value of S
When will the value of the expression be maximum?


The value of the expression will be maximum when all of the terms become positive.
i.e., a, b, and ab should be positive and c should be negative.
When a is positive, 
When b is positive, 
When a and b are positive, as required in the previous two steps, ab will be positive and the expression, 
When c is negative,
Therefore, the maximum value = 1 + 1 + 2 + 3 -(-4) = 11
Step 2: Compute the Minimum Value of S
When will the value of the expression be minimum?


 
The value of the expression will be minimum if we make as many terms negative as possible.
Higher the magnitude of the terms made negative, lower the value of the expression.
c has to be positive for S to be minimum. The last term will then be -4.
If ab is negative, then 
If ab has to be negative, one of a or b has to be positive and the other has to be negative.
Possibility 1: If a > 0 and b < 0,
The value of the expression is 1 + 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 = -7.
Possibility 2: If a < 0 and b > 0, 
The value of the expression is 1 - 1 + 2 - 3 - 4 = -5.
Therefore, the minimum value is -7
Step 3: Compute the difference
Maximum value of S = 11.
Minimum value of S = -7.
The difference is 18.
Choice E is the correct answer.
Attention GMAT Students!
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed GMAT study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in GMAT.
Explore Courses for GMAT exam

Top Courses for GMAT

If a, b, and c are not equal to zero, what is the difference between the maximum and minimum value of S? S = 1 +a)12b)14c)22d)20e)18Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
If a, b, and c are not equal to zero, what is the difference between the maximum and minimum value of S? S = 1 +a)12b)14c)22d)20e)18Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? for GMAT 2024 is part of GMAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GMAT exam syllabus. Information about If a, b, and c are not equal to zero, what is the difference between the maximum and minimum value of S? S = 1 +a)12b)14c)22d)20e)18Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GMAT 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for If a, b, and c are not equal to zero, what is the difference between the maximum and minimum value of S? S = 1 +a)12b)14c)22d)20e)18Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for If a, b, and c are not equal to zero, what is the difference between the maximum and minimum value of S? S = 1 +a)12b)14c)22d)20e)18Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for GMAT. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for GMAT Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of If a, b, and c are not equal to zero, what is the difference between the maximum and minimum value of S? S = 1 +a)12b)14c)22d)20e)18Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of If a, b, and c are not equal to zero, what is the difference between the maximum and minimum value of S? S = 1 +a)12b)14c)22d)20e)18Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for If a, b, and c are not equal to zero, what is the difference between the maximum and minimum value of S? S = 1 +a)12b)14c)22d)20e)18Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of If a, b, and c are not equal to zero, what is the difference between the maximum and minimum value of S? S = 1 +a)12b)14c)22d)20e)18Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice If a, b, and c are not equal to zero, what is the difference between the maximum and minimum value of S? S = 1 +a)12b)14c)22d)20e)18Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice GMAT tests.
Explore Courses for GMAT exam

Top Courses for GMAT

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev